Kuwait’s Crown Prince Dissolves Parliament, Calls Elections

Lawmakers attend a session of Kuwait's National Assembly, in Kuwait City, Feb. 8, 2022. (AP)
Lawmakers attend a session of Kuwait's National Assembly, in Kuwait City, Feb. 8, 2022. (AP)
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Kuwait’s Crown Prince Dissolves Parliament, Calls Elections

Lawmakers attend a session of Kuwait's National Assembly, in Kuwait City, Feb. 8, 2022. (AP)
Lawmakers attend a session of Kuwait's National Assembly, in Kuwait City, Feb. 8, 2022. (AP)

Kuwait's crown prince on Wednesday dissolved National Assembly and called for early elections, a move to ease government gridlock that has paralyzed the tiny country for months.

In his televised national address, Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah said that while the ruling family respected Kuwait's constitution, popular dissatisfaction over the deepening dysfunction compelled the emir to intervene.

The domestic political scene was being "torn by disagreement and personal interests" to the detriment of the country, he added.

"Our goal with this constitutional solution is the firm and sincere desire for the people themselves to have the final say in the process of correcting the political course anew by choosing who represents the right choice," said Sheikh Meshal, who assumed most of the emir's responsibilities last year.

A date for legislative elections was not immediately announced.

The country's Cabinet resigned over two months ago over disputes with Parliament, resulting in a prolonged paralysis.

The wrangling has left many Kuwaitis deeply disenchanted with their 50-member elected legislature. Parliament is empowered to pass and block laws, question ministers and submit no-confidence votes against senior officials. However, final authority rests with the ruling emir.

Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, appeared briefly on state TV on Wednesday to say he authorized his heir to give the national address, effectively blessing the step.



US Envoy Says Jeddah to Host Talks with Russia on Ukraine War on Sunday 

Steve Witkoff, special envoy, watches as President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
Steve Witkoff, special envoy, watches as President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
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US Envoy Says Jeddah to Host Talks with Russia on Ukraine War on Sunday 

Steve Witkoff, special envoy, watches as President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
Steve Witkoff, special envoy, watches as President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP)

US envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News on Tuesday that talks with Russia on the Ukraine war will take place on Sunday in Jeddah.

"The devil is in the details. We've got a team going to Saudi Arabia, led by our national security adviser and our secretary of state, and I think, you know, we've got to figure out those details," Witkoff told Fox News' "Hannity" show on Tuesday, referring to top US diplomat Marco Rubio and White House national security adviser Mike Waltz.

The Kremlin did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment, outside business hours, on Witkoff's remarks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday to stop attacking Ukrainian energy facilities temporarily but declined to endorse a full 30-day ceasefire that President Donald Trump hoped would be the first step toward a permanent peace deal.